In a report released by the Chinese Society for Urban Studies, second-tier cities are narrowing the gap with first-tier cities during the development of digitalization, especially in urban governance and public services, according to the report.

Digital transformation has become a new engine to promote the modernization of China's governance. Digital technologies have stimulated economic and social development, especially in some backward areas, and effectively promoted the equalization and availability of public services, providing greater convenience.

Government departments at all levels have attached great importance to the innovation of government services in recent years. They have encouraged online approval processes and services, and worked faster to build a national online platform for government services, enabling access via one website and remote processing, so that more matters can be handled without the need to be physically present. For business that does require people's presence, things can be processed at a single window, within a specified time, and without the need for a second visit.　　

In addition, some third-party platforms such as Alipay are being used to support digital governance. People can use these platforms to check their social insurance or traffic violations, pay utilities, search for public transport or handle other affairs.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article originally published in Economic Daily on December 20, 2019)